Equity is about fairness. Our vision for equity in Scottish sport is to ensure that discrimination in sport is tackled, barriers are broken down, current inequalities in participation, coaching and leadership are addressed, and that Scottish residents have equal opportunities to participate in sport at all levels. This must be regardless of factors such as their gender or gender reassignment, disability, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, age, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, or social background.

Our vision is supported by a number of key pieces of legislation, set to reshape the landscape of equity across the UK, and within sport. The three main pieces of legislation relevant to this vision, and to which this Scheme responds, are listed below:

• The Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 (RRAA 2000) which places on us a general duty to consider the need to eliminate unlawful racial discrimination, promote equality of opportunity and promote good relations between people of different racial groups. And as outlined under the Race Relations Act 1976 (Statutory Duties) (Scotland) Order 2002 (as amended in 2006), we have a specific duty to publish a Race Equality Scheme.

• Under the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 (DDA 2005), we have a general duty to promote equality of opportunity between people with a disability and other people. This Act also requires us to publish a Disability Equality Scheme.

• Under the Equality Act 2006, we have a general duty to eliminate unlawful discrimination and harassment and promote equality of opportunity between men and women. And, like the legislation for disability and race, we must publish a Gender Equality Scheme.

This Single Equity Scheme (the ‘Scheme’) covers how we meet the general and specific duties outlined in each piece of legislation. A general duty is best described as the outcomes an organisation needs to achieve. A specific duty involves the steps an organisation must take to achieve the general duty, and thus reach equity, such as publishing an equity scheme or conducting an equal pay review.

The overall aim of these duties is to address the inequalities faced by some groups of Scottish society – including women, people with a disability, and black and minority ethnic (BME) people.

Editor's comments - [ Equity is not necessarily about treating people equally, but is concerned more with fairness, justice and inclusion. It’s about taking action to ensure that all individuals are respected, have equality of opportunity, and have their rights protected. Sports equity is about making sure that everyone has an equal chance to take part in sport if they choose to do so, and that no one is discriminated against for reasons such as gender or gender reassignment, disability, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, age, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, or social background. ] Reference this?Cryer, J. (Year). This page title in italics. Retrieved date, from <this page's full URL>